History

Copy Received From Capt. Douglas P. Stout, Asst. S-3. C.C.B., 8A.D.
By: 1st Lt. Howard L. Oleck, (Historical Officer)
At: Venlo, Holland, 17 Mar. 1945

History of Btry A 473 AAA AW Bn (SP)

The 473 AAA AW Bn. (SP) was activated Feb. 28, 1943 at Camp Hulen, Texas. On April 7, 1944 the Battalion left New York Harbor on the Ile De France and arrived in Scotland April 17, 1944. On July 10, the Battalion landed at Utah Beach, Normandy, France.

On Feb. 21, 1945 Btry "A" joined CCB of the Eighth Armored Division at Posterholt, Netherlands. (VK7956). The battery remained in Anti-Aircraft positions there and near Maasbracht until Feb. 28, 1945. There was no enemy air activity except lone flights which constituted no threat to our positions.

Before CCB began its march on Feb. 28, 1945, the first platoon was attached to the 399 FA. and the second platoon was attached to the trains. The Battery C. P. remained in the same vicinity as the Combat Command S-4 section. From Posterholt the battery moved to Huckelhoven, Germany (VK9473), having crossed the Roer River at Hillfarth, Germany on Feb, 28.

On March 2, 1945 the battery moved in convey with CCB and was enroute until 0130, March 4, 1945 when it arrived at Aldekerk, Germany (VK8516). On March 5, the battery left Aldekerk and arrived at Lintfort, Germany, (RA1823) where it remained until March 11, when it returned with CCB to Venlo, Holland (QE9208). While at Lintfort the first platoon protected the 399th FA and moved in different positions as the artillery moved to support the attack which the 35th Division was making against the Enemy to drive them across the Rhine. The Second platoon occupied Anti-Aircraft positions around the installations in Lintfort. On March 10, just at sunset two enemy fighter bombers flew over the area and dropped four small bombs near the liaison air strip. The area was heavily saturated with military installations and Anti-Aircraft fire was used to frustrate any accurate bombing. The mission was successful, as the planes made no attempt at a bomb run and dropped their loads to aid them in escaping. Additional crews were kept on the guns that night but no further enemy air activity occurred.

On March 13, in the vicinity of Venlo, Holland one of the enemy's new ME-262 jet-propelled planes appeared over the area. These planes are used on reconnaissance flights and for exception of gathering information constitute no threat to our positions.

JOHN C. SCHULLER
Capt. 473rd
Commanding, Btry "A"